In Bahrain, it emerged that teams with low-rake vehicles like Aston Martin and Mercedes appeared to be more affected by the updated aerodynamic rules for 2021 than teams with high-rake concepts.
The FIA has been working to reduce downforce and speed for 2021 for safety reasons, with much of that cut being achieved through changes to floor design regulations.
Aston Martin’s team boss, Otmar Szafnauer, announced in Imola on Friday that he was urging the FIA to make optimizations this year in order to become “a little fairer” between teams with high- and low-rake vehicle concepts .
But Horner – whose Red Bull team drives with a high-rake car concept – said he was “slightly surprised” to hear how strong Szafnauer’s opponent was after just one race.
“We had a test from one that Mercedes won this race with a low-rake car classified by us,” said Horner of Sky Sports F1.
“They had absolutely the same, if not better, tire degradation than we did in Bahrain. They looked mighty impressive here and we’ve only driven one track so far.
“But if you ignore all of that, there is a process of introducing regulations that has been voted unanimously through the various regulations.
“Aston Martin or Racing Point should have voted before they were passed by the Formula 1 Commission and the World Council. They were all elected unanimously.
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR21
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
“When there was a front wing change a few years ago, it really hurt us. We voted against it, but you just have to accept it.
“It seems a little naive to think that after sampling a single race, the rules will suddenly change after the process has been fully followed.
“I’m struggling to take care of it.”
The way the aerodynamic cuts hit Mercedes and played against Red Bull sparked a closer battle at the front of the field at the start of the 2021 season.
Horner said that watching the top teams slow down was “the nature of the game” in F1 and something that needs to be accepted.
“Whether it’s blown diffusers, double diffusers, flexural blades, non-flexible blades, F-channels, or front wing regulations, as I mentioned a few years ago – it’s part of Formula 1,” Horner said.
“The rules evolve and change and you have to swing with those beats and that’s F1.
“We have a big change in regulations for next year, but the teams know that. It’s been part of the sport for many, many years.”
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